The water quality of the famous fishing venue, Loch Leven, has deteriorated in recent years and many have blamed agriculture for this – but a local councillor has taken issue with that position.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) stated that: ‘There are a number of pressures on Loch Leven. There is the potential for diffuse pollution from agriculture to be one of them, which is why we’re working with those in the area to ensure they’re following best practice.’

However, Perth and Kinross Liberal Democrat Councillor, Claire McLaren, told The SF that more evidence is needed before blaming farmers for the falling water quality.

She said: “The phosphorus levels are a concern and there is algal bloom on the loch, but it is questionable linking agriculture to the problem. There was even an inference of mismanagement and it is not substantiated by any current scientific evidence. It is the easy answer to blame farming.”

Other sources have suggested that the poor water quality may have been caused by phosphorus being added to the water supply and instances of septic tank run off.

Loch Leven is in the Strathmore, Fife and Angus nitrogen vulnerable zone (NVZ) which strictly limits the amount of fertiliser which can be applied to fields. The 2017 report by SEPA added that a 'high proportion of the nutrients entering Loch Leven are from diffuse sources within the catchment.'